Governor, lawmakers offer condolences after Gatto's father is killed

Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), shown after his June 2010 swearing in at the Capitol in Sacramento.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), shown after his June 2010 swearing in at the Capitol in Sacramento. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Melanie Mason

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers from both parties offered condolences and support Thursday to Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), whose father was found shot to death in a family home last night.

Brown said in a brief statement that he and his wife, Anne Gust Brown, "extend our deepest sympathies to the Gatto family in this time of mourning."

Speaker John A. Perez (D-Los Angeles), the top Democrat in the Assembly, remarked that it is a "terrible time for Assemblymember Gatto and his family."

"Those of us in Mike's Assembly family are keeping the Gattos in our thoughts and prayers," Perez said in a statement. "We have faith the Los Angeles Police Department will find answers to this senseless crime."

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) said he was "sick" about the news.

"What a terrible tragedy," Steinberg said to reporters at the Capitol on Thursday morning, adding that he planned to call Gatto that day.

"What can you do except let your colleague know that you’re here for them in any way, and that’s what I’ll do," Steinberg said.

Throughout the day, lawmakers expressed shock about the news and offered condolences to their colleague on Twitter.

Jeff Gorell, a Republican Assemblyman from Camarillo, said on Twitter, "My wife and I send prayers to Mike Gatto and his family today. I can't begin to imagine the grief endured by such a loss in such a manner."

Assemblyman Ian Charles Calderon (D-Whittier) tweeted, "I'd like to extend my condolences and support to Assemblyman @mikegatto and his family during this tough time." He punctuated the message with the hashtag #whatswrongwiththeworldtoday.